FASCIA TRANSMITS MESSAGESACTING AS SECOND NERVOUS SYSTEM

"Of nerve there is no trace. But the cell framework, the cytoskeleton might serve."1932's Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Charles Scott Sherrington (1857-1952) from 1952's Man on His Nature.

Nerves provide the means for each cell in our body to be able to communicate with every other cell in our body. Right? This is not entirely true, and this been known to be not entirely true for quite some time. For one we know that chemical mediators (we refer to at least some of these as "INFLAMMATION") provide for communication. Then there's our MICROBIOMES, making up part of our "ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM" and also allowing cellular communication and messaging between distant tissues and organs. There's another messaging system in your body that few people are aware of that may be equally as important (some believe even more so) --- FASCIA.

Fascia researcher, cell biologist and biophysicist, DR. JAMES OSCHMAN recently quoted from a biology book that is over 60 years old (Man on His Nature), which can be seen at the top of the page. The quote pertains to the fact that despite having no nervous system, a paramecium (single cell organism) can swim like a dolphin, avoid creatures trying to eat it, find food, and mate. How is this? How can a single-celled organism do all these things without a brain or nervous system to guide it and provide messages?

And increasing amount of scientific research shows that certain cells found in the connective tissues not only communicate directly with the nervous system, but with can actually communicate with each other as well --- potentially over great distances. Dr Alfred Pischinger (1899-1982) was the head of the Department of Histology and Embryology at the University of Vienna's Medical College. In 1948 he went a step further than ANDREW TAYLOR STILLand described where the "neural" control of the EXTRA CELLULAR MATRIX (the gel-like sugars, proteins, and membranes that lie between the cells and absorb mechanical stress) came from, theorizing that this is where alldisease starts --- something that other equally brilliant scientists are increasingly picking up on (HERE).

Dr. Oschman shows how all bodily motion --- no matter how small --- generates electric fields that are caused by the compression, deformation, and stretching of LIGAMENTS,TENDONS, FASCIA, BONES, and other COLLAGEN-BASED CONNECTIVE TISSUES. In nerve-like fashion these messages spread throughout the surrounding tissues like ripples on a pond, providing information to other areas of the body. And if you have followed my BLOG POSTS ON FASCIA, you already realize that these messages travel through the water-based ECM at the speed of sound in water ---- 750 mph as opposed to just over 150 mph, which is the speed that nerve messages travel.

Although many others have since followed his lead, Dr. Pischinger went so far as to state that Fascia is an organ (HERE is the brand new research on this). Furthermore, he says that it is the body's single largest organ ----- the only system that touches every other system (even though most physicians will tell you that SKIN is the largest organ). Although we now know that in the human body, the nerves branch down until they touch / affect each cell in the body, we are seeing that Dr. Pischinger was not far off. Pischinger was one of the first to recognize the incredible importance of Fascia when he said over a half century ago that, "The fascia must be looked upon as a single organ, a unified whole, the environment in which all body systems function."

University of Vermont's DR HELEN LANGEVIN (a neurologist and endocrinologist who is also affiliated with Harvard) has shown that Fascia forms a body-wide network that functions in a nerve-like signaling capacity. Like nerves, the impulses travel by way of cells that electrically polarize and depolarize. However, it does not stop there. TISSUE REMODELING, MECHANICAL LOAD, ﻿CELLULAR DEFORMATION﻿, POSTURAL CHANGES, and changes in motion or position (PROPRIOCEPTION), also transmit signals. These signals are altered by decreased function that is caused by things like CHRONIC PAIN or injury (or MICROSCOPIC SCAR TISSUE). Interestingly enough, Dr. Langevin keeps going. She goes as far to discuss the probabilityof a relationship between the Connective Tissues (Fascia) and organs / organ systems. Although the conditions needed to validate this relationship have been shown to occur in "laboratory test tubes", it has not yet been proven in living humans.

What should you take away from all of this? Only that properly functioning Fascia and Connective Tissues are absolutely critical to one's overall health. We have seen doctor after doctor after doctor --- brilliant men of science (Oschman, Pischinger, Ingber, Still, and numerous others) who have pushed the controversial idea that all disease arises from abnormalities in the body's Connective Tissues (HERE or HERE). Their belief is not arising from thin air, but from decades of clinical experience and research. Maybe this is why in our clinic, we frequently get COMPLETELY AMAZING RESULTS! Ignore the Fascia and other Connective Tissues at your own peril. And for those who really like what they are seeing with fascia research, I have 160+ articles on the subject all neatly categorized into one post (HERE). Enjoy!

Thank you for taking the time to share your pespective and insights into the significance of fascia. It was its unifying aspect of our densest body within the wider world that I found especially fascinating and relieving to flow with.
All the best,
Janka

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‪tayeb ahmed‬‏

7/30/2019 10:53:39 am

The fascial system is the top most complex system in our bodies.

The top most critical issue in surgical procedures is the fascial planes .

The fascial system the largest system in our bodies , structurally & functionally.

Wonderful Article! Call me a “test subject”... But, since I got involved in Whole Body/Self Body Weight stretching exercises, my OVER ALL health has IMPROVED TREMENDOUSLY! Not just my Musculoskeletal system. That is completely in line with what I take away from your article, Proprioception is KEY to good health!

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Dr. Russ

5/4/2018 03:13:52 am

Hello Carol, if you are interested in fascia as a proprioceptive organ, be sure to read this (http://www.doctorschierling.com/blog/fascia-as-a-proprioceptive-organ-and-its-relationship-to-chronic-pain)

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Carol Hayden

5/4/2018 09:56:54 am

Thank-You for your response! I have read a portion of the article with GREAT interest. Admittedly, much of the terminology is way to medical for me... I even googled some of the words, LOL! I have run out of time to complete, but will continue. From what I have read, so far... It describes why I have healed myself with my exercise program. I have re awakened many things that have fallen asleep in my 60 year old body. FYI - I had laminotomy L4/L5 to clean up severe central canal stenosis and am diagnosed with demyelinating polyneuropathy. I am now off all back pain shots and narcotics. I have resumed strenous activity that was lost to me, YAY!

Karen

5/6/2018 04:33:32 am

What books or program do you use. I have horrible sciatic pain i believe comes from connective tissue issues. These exercises sound like they might help.

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Dr. Russ

5/6/2018 04:57:04 am

Be sure to check out the links in the last paragraph.

Carol Hayden

5/7/2018 02:14:13 pm

Hi Karen!

I use the Yoga Burn program, by Zoe Brae Cotton. It is a guided in home program. There is several versions available, all reasonably priced with lots of flows. There is a free one, that is restorative called "Kick Start", it costs 10.00 shipping. I do have to say I do not like guided meditations or chanting, but there is not a much of that, except in one style of Yoga called Kundalini.

All that said, the stretches are very similar to what Physical Therapists gave me, but since it is a whole body practice, I got WAY better results. I got pain relief almost immediately with the most of it gone inside a week.

My local chiropractor recommended me to continue using them. Hope this info helps!

Great Article! I think you might be interested in my book, "Fascia:What it is and Why it Matters" – thank you for helping share the knowledge of out wondrous connective tissue system!

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Lynn Dixon

5/14/2018 06:58:41 pm

Classical stretch is amazing. Was having so much pain , i knew it was fascia!!!
Miranda esmonde white is amazing. It is on WEDQ on cable. I bought season 12 dvds. Everyone should b doing this

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Julie Gladhill Shenk

7/30/2019 09:33:10 am

Wonderful confirmation for me to look into and purchase. I have a limited budget but get drawn to her exercises. Maybe my library will purchase. I would like to use first before investing.

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Yvonne

5/19/2018 08:13:46 pm

Any suggestions for Dupuytren's?

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Dr. Russell Schierling

5/21/2018 02:19:08 am

Be sure to search it on my site as I have an article or two on it.

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Karen

7/19/2018 06:40:28 pm

I have been suffering for 2+ years now with a condition on my left side from hip to the top of my skull where I have involuntary movements in my left side neck and shoulder. This is both spontaneous and can be triggered by simply pressing on the usually either side of my body. No one knows what is the matter with me.

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jennie crewdson

8/9/2018 03:24:43 am

Thank you for this very well informed and interesting blog

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Pamm

8/14/2018 10:55:16 am

My child suffers from epilepsy - can it be treated with this knowledge you describe in mind ?

I have been fortunate to have Dr,Alan Becker who was a Cranial OSTEOPATH and kept me healthy manipulating the flow or cereal spinal fluid through the fascia ..I always felt this was the key to a healthy and wholesome body...It was an awesome experience ...ONE day, I asked him if it was possible for restoring a damaged organ without any damage to the fascia...would the cereal spinal fluid restore the integrity of the cells of the organ..according to its original design...??? of course he said definitely so....I learned that visualization is an important factor to restore the integrity of the specific organ to regenerate itself with the clear flow of cerebral spinal fluids via the channels of the fascia....it is a circulatory system as important as any other functional system in our body...I remember at that time the book of physiology at the University said there was no functional use of the cerebral spinal fluid...???? imagine this mentality was taught in the early 1978 1980. tt is so nice to read your article ..we definitely need clarity ....

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Erica Irelan

10/12/2018 12:42:51 pm

Have you done any research on fascia and connective tissue to MS? My mom has MS so I’m always on the lookout for more info! Thanks

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Dr. Russ

10/14/2018 02:04:58 am

Tons of stuff on my site about MS. Just use the search feature to find it.

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kathy trinh

10/14/2018 05:35:42 am

Can fascia release massage on the face will help with sagging skin?

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Laura Scott

4/18/2019 02:32:10 pm

There is a technique which I do called Skin Rolling which has worked wonders on some people. It is a process by which the skin is lifted away from the underlying tissues and rolled gently like a wave across the body. It releases sticky fascia and creates more lymphatic drainage as well as increased oxygenation and uptake of nutrients to the cells.
Some therapists do skin rolling but not necessarily the same way I do, it should not hurt.

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Dr. Russ Schierling

10/15/2018 03:05:41 am

Not sure, but if frequently helps with Face Pain.
http://www.doctorschierling.com/blog/category/face-pain

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Sophia

1/29/2019 06:21:08 am

Thank you for the research, I am starting to understand my body. I was diagnosed with EDS at 52 years of age, it explains my growing pains the last 40 years. After a car accident in 2015 my body went in overdrive. The pain that I experience The last few years has been unbelievable. My SHELL of body hurts and I now understand why! I also have psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis. I will discuss this with my doctors and hope they will understand. Thank you

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Andrea

2/28/2019 07:50:10 am

I have a dear friend who has CRPS (RSD)- have you done any research in regards to this ? I would like to share what you might have about it with her. She has completely taken herself off of her medication as the side affects were almost worse than the CRPS. Her pain levels are so high- she is such a strong person!

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Dr. Russ

3/2/2019 03:55:06 am

Search my site for Central Sensitization, I have lots of material.

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Cricket Kemp

3/3/2019 07:13:52 am

This is beginning to make sense to me as I struggle to repair the damage done by a stroke. Using these principles, I am doing better than anyone expected. My stroke recovery team think I am batty, but they can see the unexpected improvement. I am 75.

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Davida Slobody

3/6/2019 03:57:00 am

YIN yoga 🧘‍♀️ accesses fascia with multiple shapes (asanas) held 3-5 minutes and longer. Aided by props, practioners that provide a platform that brings a student to the edge of discomfort but not into pain, the postures gently stretch into fascia. For me, it subtly relieves pain when done on a daily basis. It is possible, with YIN knowledge to release scar tissue. It is a daily process and requires only dedication to ones’s self.
Thank you for making people aware of fascinating new/old information about fascia

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Carl A Schmitt

3/7/2019 07:55:41 am

I do Therapeutic massage. I have always explained to my clients is that fascia is a lot like a governor on a motor. Governor limits rpm range to limit damage. Same with the body. If limiting the range of motion does not work to help the healing process it will bring on the chronic pain to shut down the body. It works as a network. I believe that this is why grounding works. When my clients get MRI ‘s and show nothing, I know that it is connective tissue related. Always check antagonist group of muscles.

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Tracy Walton

3/17/2019 07:15:40 am

Could my horses fascia be stuck and glued and causing pain and lameness 19 years after coffin joint fracture? X rays show only minor bony changes. He still seems to be compensating but not as much after physio and chiropracter. He has had nerve blocks and IRAP and joint injections

I have degenerative disc disease which gives me terribly neck and shoulder pain plus have had a shoulder reconstruction. I am not sure which of the above causes my pain today but it is unrelenting and sleeping is hell for me, there is no position I can be comfortable or pain free. When I do fall asleep I almost always wake up on my affected side in a lot of pain. Do you have any experience with cervical disc degeneration or shoulder surgery pain issues (the surgery was 11 years ago!

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JM

3/27/2019 01:41:50 am

I have chronic fascia pain all over my body. How do I fix it?

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peter

7/6/2019 03:04:16 am

would stem cell therapy be effective to address chronic fascia pain?

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Sally Thomas

7/14/2019 08:46:41 pm

As a CranioSacral Therapy practitioner for the last 33 years, I am absolutely astounded and overjoyed at your findings Dr. Schierling! Will pass this around to the Upledger Institute Alumni pages.

A couple of years ago I was injured by a dancer during an Argentine Tango lesson, winding up with a good case of plantar fascitis. I was on crutches, and in a boot for a couple of weeks. With the proprioceptive sensory awareness training I have had, I was able to heal myself of the problem and am back in action!

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Jessica

7/20/2019 08:57:04 am

I have been struggling with fibromyalgia symptoms and experiencing pain in my shoulders bilaterally.
Feels like the fascia keeps getting stuck in my arms and shoulders. I am using a vibrating massage device to release the facia daily are there any other recommendations you have? Thank you !

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Dr. Schierling completed four years of Kansas State University's five-year Nutrition / Exercise Physiology Program before deciding on a career in Chiropractic. He graduated from Logan Chiropractic College in 1991, and has run a busy clinic in Mountain View, Missouri ever since. He and his wife Amy have four children (three daughters and a son).